20130422 Monday – Niue

When I surface later that morning Niue is already in sight, a long low flat island with steep cliffs, a testament to its vertical rise from the sea.

Consequently there are very few beaches, instead many sandy coves and limestone caverns with their stalagmites and ‘tites which clambering through, lead down to tranquil grottos full of colourful fish and corals.

We quickly find the yacht club, the bar and wi-fi and set up base camp. A trip to the visitor centre then to local grass square where there is a hive of activity.

It’s “Culture” week during which we watch palm frond weaving, to make baskets and pretty headdresses, a fashion show featuring clothes made from recyclables (Amazing the things you can do with a bin bag) as well as groups of ukulele players of all ages competing.

Not forgetting the singing of course, just like the Eisteddfod, but for looking! The following day we saw a course laid out with a palm frond,

a group of coconuts, and some wooden tools. The idea apparently it to weave a basket, shell the coconuts and then render the flesh of the ‘nuts into a creamy go used in cooking. First to finish wins?

                                            Niue harbour

                                               Niue flag

                              Yuk!      

                                  Arts and craft

                                     Ira hostess at the Yacht Club

                                                     ukelele performance

                                                       Basket weaving

                     Our lunchplase                                                                           

                                                  Village choir

                                                            Stage fright

                                     New use for bin bags!